What Makes Life Meaningful

To find real meaning in life, it helps to examine some sound principles found in God's Word, the Bible. After all, our Creator and the Author of the Bible, created us to live a happy and meaningful life. And so he provided his Written Word to show that he cares for us and desires to guide us to a life that he has meant for us.

The following are some of these guiding principles.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

"With a man there is nothing better than that he should eat and indeed drink and cause his soul to see good because of his hard work. This too I have seen, even I, that this is from the hand of the true God."

God created us to find satisfaction in wholesome work. Even in unfavorable circumstances, we can still find joy in life from working honestly and diligently.

 Acts 20:35

‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."


If we keep doing things for others, like giving of our time and energy to assist them in times of difficulty, we can add real meaning to our lives and reap unexpected rewards.

Here's another Scripture related to this principle:

Proverbs 3:27

"Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do it."

Wholeheartedly following these words  brings us rich blessings.

Proverbs 17:17

"A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress."

We all need true friends to make life more bearable, especially in times of troubles. They are there to cushion the blow for us. Having true friends and being a good friend can be beautiful and satisfying.

Matthew 5:3

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them."

We humans have the innate need to understand the meaning and purpose of life. It is vital therefore to recognize and fill our spiritual need if we want to enjoy the fulfillment of God's promises. We can fill that need by making time to study the Bible, from which we can understand such Scriptural truths as to God's purpose for the earth, why we are here, why there is so much suffering and what God expects of us. Learning about these and applying them in our lives can make us happy because we are building a trusting relationship with our Creator, "the happy God." 

Ecclesiastes 12:1

"Remember your Creator... before the time of trouble comes and the years draw near when you will say, 'I see no purpose in them.'"

Making our Creator the focus of our life will give our life real purpose.  At Ecclesiastes 8:12, the wise King Solomon said that if we "fear the true God", and put him first in our life, things "will turn out well" for us.

Millions worldwide have found these principles truly beneficial and highly rewarding. No matter what their circumstances in life may be, they are enjoying a truly satisfying and meaningful life.

Scriptural Tips on How to Drive Sadness Away

1) Talk about it

Proverbs 17:17

"A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress."

We may think of someone we can completely trust, and confide in him/her about what we feel. When we talk about our feelings, we feel an overwhelming relief, knowing that someone knows what we're going through. That will get us out of the pit of sadness.

2) Write about it

Proverbs 3:21

"Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability,  and they will prove to be life to your soul and charm to your throat."

Putting down our thoughts and feelings on paper when sadness overwhelms us can help us "safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability."

One Biblical example in writing down feelings of deep sadness is King David. We can read his expressions at Psalm 6:6:

"I have grown weary with my sighing;

All night long I make my couch swim;

With my tears I make my own divan overflow."

We can do similarly by keeping a journal and writing down what we feel and what we think may be at the root of our sadness.

3) Pray about it

Philippians 4:6,7

"Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God;  and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."

We must pray to God about our concerns, pouring out our heart to him and asking him to help us identify the root of our sadness. By doing so, we can have the "peace of God that excels all thought", which "will guard our heart and our mental powers."

4) Let God's Word be a light to your roadway

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my foot,

And a light to my roadway."

Filling our minds with upbuilding thoughts that we glean from Bible accounts can have a positive effect on our thoughts, feelings and actions. So it's beneficial to make it a habit to read God's Word daily.

Based on Awake magazine, September 2010, pages 20-22.

Pouring Out Our Hearts

"Trust in him at all times, O people.

Before him pour out your heart.

God is a refuge for us."

- Psalm 62:8

Sometimes life can be too much. Problems from every corner invade us like enemy missiles aimed toward us. They disrupt our peace and our joy of living. They become like a heavy load that is impossible to carry.We feel suffocated and we don't know what to do. We run to our friends for comfort or get psychiatric help, but still, our problems persist. They drive us crazy, they turn us insane. Too much!  We irrationally decide that we have lost all hopes, that it's useless to go on living. We want to end it all.

Many find themselves immersed in such situation and it's hard to get themselves out of it. But if they make a persistent effort to fight and strengthen their will to live, they will come to be survivors. One way to help themselves is to run to the most reliable Counselor in the universe, just like what the Scripture above shows us. Indeed, trusting in Him at all times and pouring out our hearts to Him can get us into a refuge where we feel secure and unharmed by whatever enemy invasions designed to destroy us.

Even when we are not at all in the thick of such situation, we can always prevent ourselves from getting into it by heeding the psalmist's message. We should make God our refuge by always trusting in Him and pouring our hearts to Him. He is the only one who can perfectly keep us away from harm and can give us LIFE. 

How to Draw Close to God

"Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you."

-  James 4:8

The above Scripture is an assurance that we can cultivate an intimate relationship with the Most High.

Here are some ways:

* Read His Written Word, the Bible, daily to get to know Him better.

* Establish  regular communications with Him through prayer.

* Make Him happy by following His guidance which He gave for our lasting personal benefit.

* Keep feeding on His abundant "spiritual" foods.

* Associate with those who love Him wholeheartedly.

* Tell others about how loving and wonderful He is as a Friend and Father.

* Spend time to "read" His book of creation, that is, examine His natural creations and analyze what they tell us about the Creator.

* Try to imitate His qualities.
etc.

One will discover that there's no better friend in the whole universe than our Heavenly Father. He is the only one who perfectly knows our deepest thoughts and feelings, and all our needs. If all others leave us, He is always there, and will always be our FRIEND forever.

The Most Valuable Friendship in the World

We are blessed if we have friends who can stand by us no matter what happens.  Each time we need them, they are always there, ready to support us. They make us feel secure and well-cared for. They are happy when they see us happy. They feel for us and comfort us when we are in difficult situation. They bring sunshine to our lives by their unfading thoughtfulness and loving-kindness. 

Is there someone whom we can call a perfect friend? There is, and He's genuinely interested in our personal welfare. He welcomes us to be a guest in His tent. But we must meet certain qualifications in order to deserve that most precious friendship of all. In the following quote, a famous king outlined these requirements.

A Melody of King David :

"O Jehovah, who will be a guest in your tent?
Who will reside in your holy mountain?

He who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness
And speaking the truth in his heart.

He has not slandered with his tongue.
To his companion he has done nothing bad,
And no reproach has he taken up against his intimate acquaintance.

In his eyes anyone contemptible is certainly rejected,
But those fearing Jehovah he honors.
He has sworn to what is bad for himself, and yet he does not alter.

His money he has not given out on interest,
And a bribe against the innocent one he has not taken.
He that is doing these things will never be made to totter."

-Psalms 15

Yes, friendship with the Most High keeps us strong and secure, and it will also give us eternal benefits, which He promised to those who remain loyal to their friendship with Him.